Calixtus was derived from the Latin calix 'cup', taken from the Ancient Greek κύλιξ (kylix) 'cup' meaning “chalice” and used by early Christians in reference to the cup used during the Eucharist.

[1] Callista is also a spelling variant of the Late Latin name Calista.

Other versions of the name are Callistee, Callysta, Calysta, Kalista, Kallista, Kallistee, and Kalysta.

The name was traditionally used most often in Bohemia, but has been in occasional use in the Anglosphere since the early 19th century.

Both Callista and Calista became better known worldwide due to the fame of American actress Calista Flockhart, who portrayed the heroine of the popular American legal comedy drama television series Ally McBeal, which aired from 1997 to 2002.